Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Raleigh, North Carolina
58.7% Acceptance Rate
Saint Augustine's University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
58.7%Acceptance Rate
2.5Avg GPA
860Avg SAT
$30,324Annual Cost
$35,730Grad Salary
52.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
58.7%
Avg GPA
2.5
Avg SAT
860
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
820–890
Need-Based Aid
52.4% receive Pell
Saint Augustine's University, an HBCU founded in 1867 in Raleigh, North Carolina, offers programs in business, STEM fields, and liberal arts with a focus on leadership development.
The historic campus features modern facilities including a new engineering lab, athletics complex, and performing arts center. The university maintains strong ties to its Episcopal heritage while preparing students for 21st century careers.
Saint Augustine's University Acceptance Rate
At 58.7%, admission to Saint Augustine's University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What St. Aug Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 58.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.30 – 2.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
St. Aug GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at St. Aug is 2.5. That makes admissions here less selective on GPA specifically. Most admitted students carry a mix of B's and C's.
A solid SAT or ACT score is the fastest way to strengthen an application in this range.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 2.70–2.90.Check Your Admission Chances at St. Aug
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Augustine's University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Saint Augustine's University (St. Aug) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if St. Aug is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into St. Aug Without SAT or ACT?
St. Aug neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Saint Augustine's University Average SAT Score: 860
The average SAT score of admitted students at Saint Augustine's University is 860 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 860 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (890 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Augustine's University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 820, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at St. Aug. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 860 | 820 | 890 |
Below 820, you're behind most admitted students; at 890 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 850
Can I get into Saint Augustine's University (St. Aug) with a 900 SAT?
A 900 SAT puts you ahead of most of St. Aug's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for St. Aug
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into St. Aug isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
CRITICAL INSTITUTIONAL STATUS:
As of the date of this research (June 2026), Saint Augustine's University is not a functioning admissions destination for new students. The following is the verified current status: (1) SACSCOC voted to revoke SAU's accreditation in December 2024 and upheld that decision through appeal and arbitration in 2025. (2) A preliminary injunction temporarily preserved accreditation through the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters. (3) SAU filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 27, 2026, and simultaneously announced it was ending all accreditation litigation. (4) The provisional SACSCOC accreditation expired May 15, 2026. (5) SAU is no longer accepting new degree-seeking students; current students are being supported via teach-out agreements to transfer to accredited institutions. (6) Enrollment had collapsed from approximately 1,000 students in 2017 to an estimated 53?150 students by mid-2025. Any content in College Portal for UNITID 199582 should be flagged with a prominent institutional closure/transition alert rather than a standard admissions roadmap. Do not populate st1?st4 strategies as if admission is available.
For Students Who Were Enrolled: Understand the Teach-Out Process
SAU has committed to supporting current enrolled students through teach-out agreements with other accredited institutions, so that students who have not yet completed their degrees can transfer without losing credits or time toward graduation. Students in this situation should contact SAU's student services office directly to identify their specific teach-out partner options, verify credit transfer terms in writing, and confirm financial aid implications of the transfer - since federal aid eligibility may be disrupted during the transition to an unaccredited institution. Alfred Street Baptist Church and other donors funded emergency aid for graduating seniors in spring 2025 and 2026; similar resources may exist for transferring students through alumni and community organizations.
For the Historical Record: SAU's Mission and Legacy
Saint Augustine's University was founded in 1867 by Episcopal missionaries in Raleigh, NC, and has operated as one of the nation's oldest and most historically significant HBCUs for over 150 years. At its peak it enrolled nearly 1,000 students, was a member of the CIAA for athletic competition, and was SACSCOC-accredited since 1942. The financial crisis that led to the current situation involved a multi-year pattern of missed payroll, IRS tax liens exceeding $14 million, $32 million in additional unpaid debts, declining enrollment, governance disputes, and a failed land-lease deal. This context matters for counselors and platform users who may encounter prospective students who are SAU alumni or who were considering enrollment before the crisis - the institution's legacy is real, even as its current operational status is not suitable for new student admissions.
Track the Reaccreditation and Reorganization Pathway
SAU's Board of Trustees and new interim president have stated the institution intends to pursue reaccreditation under a different accrediting body - potentially TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools) - and to develop non-degree certificate and apprenticeship programs while the Chapter 11 reorganization is underway. The court-supervised reorganization process typically takes 1?2 years. If SAU successfully reorganizes, stabilizes financially, and obtains new accreditation, it could potentially re-enter the traditional degree-granting market. College Portal should maintain a monitoring flag on UNITID 199582 and revisit the status periodically rather than treating this row as permanently closed or permanently open.
Expert Insight:
This is not a standard admissions warning - it is a full institutional status alert. Saint Augustine's University as of June 2026 is unaccredited, in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, not accepting new degree-seeking students, and directing current students to transfer via teach-out agreements. Any student or family who contacts College Portal about SAU should be directed to current information from SAU's own SACSCOC Updates page (st-aug.edu/sacscoc-updates/) and should be encouraged to speak with an independent counselor before making any enrollment or financial decisions related to this institution.
St. Aug Profile
Full Name
Saint Augustine's University (St. Aug)
City
Raleigh
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
27610-2298
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a St. Aug Degree Worth It?
St. Aug offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $57,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.31%.
How much does a degree from St. Aug Cost?
The sticker price is $30,324/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
52.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 63% take federal loans at St. Aug — file your FAFSA early and list St. Aug as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a St. Aug Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $35,730 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Augustine's University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manor College | Jenkintown, PA | 820 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Augustine's University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallaudet University | Washington, DC | 857 | 16 |
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, GA | 864 | 18 |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 860 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Augustine's University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
Degree Programs at St. Aug
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Aug Admissions
Median earnings for Saint Augustine's University graduates sit around $35,730 a year.
Saint Augustine's University costs roughly $30,324 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
With 52.4% of Saint Augustine's University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming Saint Augustine's University is the key move.
At 58.7%, Saint Augustine's University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Saint Augustine's University average a 2.5 GPA.
Saint Augustine's University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.2 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.1, Saint Augustine's University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Saint Augustine's University — aim above 860, ideally within the 820–890 range admitted students typically fall in.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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